7 Best University to study Law In Nigeria in 2026

Why should you choose the Best University to study Law in Nigeria?

1. Accreditation and legitimacy from the Law school and the Government

For you to study law in Nigeria, the university you intend to study the course in must be well-accredited for you to obtain a certificate and to be able to attend law school.

2. Quality Of Education

Top universities in Nigeria have experienced lecturers, rich law libraries, and moot law, which enable students to perform better when faced with real-life scenarios in their field of study.

3. Networking and Opportunities

This is most common in Nigeria, where a connection can get you to where a certificate can’t get you.

This saying by Nigerians also extends to students who want to study law. Most Nigerian law practitioners who are well-known in the field and successful have strong ties to their roots, which can be their university or secondary school institution that trained them.

Some notable law practitioners in Nigeria and across the world came from universities like UNILAG, UI, and others. Any students who came from these same institutions are likely to be offered opportunities compared to others who came from other institutions and have access to scholarships.

4. Career Reputation

Your university, where you study law, can help boost your portfolio, as most people are biased and judge law practitioners based on the university they came from.

5. Research and Opportunities

There are different fields in law, and some universities are stronger in one field compared to another. For example, for university may have a strong foot in international law. While others have strong feet in human rights.

Having known why you should prioritize the best university to study law in Nigeria. Let’s look at the top 7 universities in Nigeria to study Law.

Various criteria are used to evaluate this university, which include its worldwide ranking, lecturers, and alumni produced by this institution.

7 Best University to study Law in Nigeria

1. University of Ibadan (UI)

The number one best University to study Law in Nigeria on the list in Nigeria for the best university to study law is the University of Ibadan. Ranking number 10 across Africa as a whole, it shows the quality of the university in its law department.

The university offers law under the faculty of law with different departments of law under it, including Private and Property Law, Commercial & Industrial Law, Jurisprudence & International Law, and Public Law. The faculty of law or law department in the institution is as old as the institution itself, being among the departments that were established as pioneers to the establishment of the institution in 1946.

The University of Ibadan Department of Law has many accolades that suit it as the number one best university for law in Nigeria. Firstly, its diversity in law fields taught in the school is not found in many institutions across Nigeria or Africa as a whole.

They are also known for the establishment of a women’s law clinic to enable women easy access to free justice in institutions. Their method of teaching is first-rate in Nigeria, using various teaching methods like publications, public lectures, and seminars that have helped advance the legal practice of the students.

The whole department of law under the faculty of law has produced a lot of alumni and experts who have been working in the field, and they are known across the world. This can be attributed to the long existence of the department, which is over forty years.

Lastly, the Faculty of Law, in a bid to improve its students’ success, is in collaboration with top legal firms and institutions across the world, institutions which include the Nigerian Bar Association(NBA), the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), and many others.

Aside from the physical library, the faculty of law in the university has a functioning E-library which allows students access to a range of electronic materials.

2. University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN)

The second on the list is the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. The university offers law under the faculty of law departments of law. The university offers diverse laws, with each one credited to a department. Various departments include property law, public law, private law, customary & indigenous law, commercial and corporate law, jurisprudence and legal theory, and International and comparative law.

Established as a department in 1961, the Department of Law is as old as the institution itself, which was established in 1960. It was initially the Department of Law before it was turned into the Faculty of Law to accommodate the various diverse of law.

Second in Nigeria for the best university to study law in Nigeria, and the 15th best in Africa. The university has strived in recent years to meet its aim. In restoring dignity to humans by educating them on their rights.

The university, in recent years, has produced a lot of graduates across the world who are doing exceptionally well in their respective fields. What makes the faculty the best also lies in the quality of experienced lecturers who have served in the institution in recent years.

3. Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU)

Obafemi Awolowo University(OAU) ranks as the third-best university to study law in Nigeria. Based on metrics, the university is currently ranked 18th in Africa for the best university to study law across the continent.

The faculty of Law was established in the institution as early as 1962, as part of the faculty that was established in the institution.

4. University of Lagos (UNILAG)

Ranking 4th on the list is the University of Lagos(UNILAG). The University of Lagos is known for its excellence in education, and this also extends to the field of law.

UNILAG currently offers law under the of Faculty of Law with multiple departments like commercial law, public law, Private and property law and jurisprudence, and International law operating under this faculty.

The university aims to produce law practitioners who not only excel in the field but are known for sound and good character, and to be a platform and avenue of high standards in the research and learning of law.

The university is known for organizing moot court and mock trial competitions, which help hone the students’ law-practicing ability before practicing law as a profession.

The institution also conducts other activities for faculty, which include career fairs and mentorship programs, law dinners, and social events and other activities. UNILAG currently ranks 28th in Africa as a whole.

5. University of Calabar

University of Calabar, known for its acronym UNICAL, takes its place as the 5th best university to study law in Nigeria. Solidifying its position in Nigerian academic institutions. The university is currently rated 33rd best
University to study Law.

Notable for producing first-class results in the Nigerian Law School on multiple years and occasions due to the excellence of the institution and the knowledge instilled in its products.

The institution is also notable for having a large number of scholars who are currently studying or are alumni. These scholars are well-grounded in any aspect of law, which indicates and solidifies the university ranking for law in Nigeria.

What also makes UNICAL stand out is its curriculum in law programs. This curriculum covers all aspects of legal topics and practical law training by exposing the students to law defence in the court.

The University of Calabar(UNICAL) currently offers law under the faculty of law, which comprises community and International law, jurisprudence and industrial law, public law, and private law.

6. University of Ilorin (UNILORIN)

University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), the most desired higher institution for Nigerian secondary graduates aspirants takes its place as the 6th best University in Nigeria for law.

UNILORIN is not only known for sound excellence in medical courses but also extends to the law field. The university is currently ranked the 34th best university in Africa to study Law.

The institutional mode of teaching law is exceptional, which includes practical law experience at a live court, which often takes place at the Sharia Court of Appeal.

The university is also known for its conducive learning environment for its students. This is seen in the faculty commitment to the acquisition of the newly constructed moot court, professional suite, and law library for the students.

The building is also one of its kind across Nigeria. Fitted with Renewable energy technology to ensure no disruptive power supply for students’ access, and the building is also fitted with CCTV cameras to ensure strict security.

Aside from the building. The quality of the UNILORIN Faculty of Law lies in its experienced and qualified staff. The institution’s faculty of law is boosted by a lot of professors, which shows the high level of knowledge the lecturers must have. UNILORIN is known to have the highest number of professors in Law across the federation.

The University currently offers law under the faculty of law with multiple departments including business law, Islamic Law, jurisprudence and International law, property and private law, and public law.

7. Nnamdi Azikiwe University

Nnamdi Azikiwe University currently takes its place as the 7th best university in Nigeria to study Law and the 38th best University to study Law in Africa.

Since the establishment of the department of law in 1985/1986 in the institution transitioned to the faculty of law to accommodate various fields in the law field.

Nnamdi Azikiwe University is notable for its contribution to the law field in the country. The institution is known for producing first-class graduates in the Nigerian Law School, showing the excellence of the institution’s faculty of law.

Equipped with a law library and an E-library, which is loaded with many books, journals, and publications for students to gain access to educational materials.The institution’s e-library functions as foreign and local materials for reading.

Also available in the institution is the availability of a law clinic to allow students to get practical, hands-on experience before practicing law as a profession. Nnamdi Azikiwe University is also one of its kind institutions in Nigeria that recently introduced mobile law clinics in order to reach a larger part of Anambra state.

The university offers law under the faculty of law with departments like commercial and property law, International and jurisprudence law, and public and private law. The university is also known globally for its journal publication, The Nnamdi Azikiwe University Law Review is currently run by the institution’s faculty of law students.

Conclusion

Attending a good university to study law will save you from a lot of unnecessary headaches you might face in the future due to a lack of knowledge or inability to have or gain success in the law field.

There are also quite a number of the best university to study Law in Nigeria out there that disseminate and produce quality knowledge, but standards differ, which is why the list above includes this university.

The list is not a cooked-up fact made up to write an article, but rather a list that is subjected to metrics, which found them worthy of the rank. Some of the metrics include the number of departments, law school, library, and alumni success in the field.

A.O is a student of economics at Adekunle Ajasin Akungba Akoko University,Ondo state. His love for writing and passion for providing solutions for students in terms of admission, school fees and tips is what drive his passion for writing educational post to guide and direct students.